Wilder disappointed but not downhearted after U’s deny Cobblers

James Heneghan

Chris Wilder admitted the manner of Northampton’s draw to Cambridge was “disappointing” but the Cobblers boss had no issue with United’s exuberant celebrations after the visitors snatched a last-gasp equaliser.

The Cobblers appeared on course for victory thanks to John Marquis’ second-half header but James Spencer struck at the death for Cambridge, sparking wild celebrations from fans, players and even U’s boss Shaun Derry who turned around and punched his fists towards the home crowd.

Wilder said afterwards: “If we had scored in the last minute I’d have been past him (Derry) and possibly in the stand!

“That’s what it means to us all and I’ve known Shaun since he was a boy at Notts County. He wants to win and his team wanted to win today and you could see that because there were a lot of tasty tackles going in.

“They’ve come to compete and I’ve got absolutely no problem that because I’d have done the same.”

Northampton dominated much of this game but their failure to add to Marquis’ opener proved costly as Spencer finished well to deny Cobblers another three points.

However, with both Oxford and Plymouth losing, Northampton have extended their lead to 14 points at the top of League Two.

Wilder added: “We’re disappointed because we got that close to the finishing line but it was a hell of a strike from the boy.

“It’s not like us because we’re pretty good at seeing games out and we’ve had two or three opportunities on the counter-attack but it was a tough game littered with a lot of fouls.

“It was very stop-start and very bitty and there wasn’t much quality but that’s what happens sometimes and you have to overcome that and we nearly did.

“I thought they were a determined team today with a lot of good players who are trying to get themselves into the play-offs and their reaction showed everything about the game and the respect that they’ve paid us.

“There’s no doubt that we’re disappointed but then we came in and saw Portsmouth lost 3-0 to Newport, Oxford get beat at home and Plymouth lost so our point’s not that bad.